Does anything repel snakes?

[horsejody]

If I found a snake in the coop, I would probably shoot it. Yes, I might put a hole in the wall, but it would be gone.

 

[TexasVet]

Ok, here's what I found....


Posted By: Mark Madachik, PD, Heartland Farm/Nursery
Area of science: Zoology
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Message:


Hi Doug...

There are no repellents, fumigants or toxicants federally registered for snake control. The potential for development of such snake controls is complicated by the diet, body temperature, and other biological aspects of snakes.

Various home remedies have been suggested for repelling snakes. Several of these were evaluated on whether they would repel black rat snakes (chicken snakes). Treatments included MOTH BALLS, sulfur, gourd vines, a tacky bird repellent, lime, cayenne pepper spray, sisal rope, coal tar and creosote, artificial skunk scent, and musk from a king snake (eats other
snakes). None of these remedies prevented the snakes from crossing them.

Some sticky materials have prevented snakes from climbing to wood duck nest boxes when the materials were applied in 18-inch bands around the supporting poles. This technique might be appropriate if snakes are a problem at bird nest boxes mounted on poles, but otherwise is less practical.

The best way to discourage any pest is to eliminate the environment that it likes. With snakes one should keep debris (wood piles, old tires, etc) that could provide cozy places for the snake. Trim shrubs and plants up from the ground to eliminate cover. Make sure homes are sealed well around foundations and screens are tight. There is a snake proof fence manufactured but it can get costly for large areas.

Snakes are by no means my favorite but I remind myself of the rodents that would probably over run me if they were not around. Nature is a fragile thing and moth balls can be highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and possibly vertebrates. Something to think about. Mark ....

 

[flopshot]

the lightweight version of deer netting will work. they get in a bit and become stuck. from the ground level to about a foot is all you need. be advised it's a non selective solution and will also kill benefical non predator snakes.

 

[Bridget399]

Don't waste money on snake away...it's just mothballs.
My husband and I bought our home 3 years ago and have been battling with snakes since we moved in. Our attic was full of sheds, I had a 5 foot black snake in a spare room, a tiny one in the basement, a 4 footer at our wedding (it slithered under a neighbor's chair during the reception)... and countless outside incidents...

Snakes are territorial, the one at our wedding was making a beeline for the chimney to go "back home" to our attic.
We're still sealing up our house and chimney. But the biggest improvement has been the yard, we've illiminated all brush, high weeds, and any debris laying around. We've moved our wood pile back 50 feet.
I once had a snake trying to get away from me, attempt to go into my garage, it slithered over a rope but veared away once it got close to the mothballs and went back into the yard.
Mothballs work, but are highly toxic. And you have to replace them everytime it rains. Put them in an old mik jug and poke holes in the bottom(so the smell comes out and they don't melt in the rain). Seal up everything and remove any hiding places.
Let me know what happens.

I HATE snakes...but they do cut back on rodents.

 

[cool chicken]

shotgun

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
My comment exactly.

 

[skooterbumm]

I keep a few outside cats "barn cats" just for that. Snakes dont like cats and cats love snakes, but this is not 100%

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
I second that.

 

[HennysMom]

how about hardwire cloth around your chicken pen?

A snake definately cant get in through it as the openings arent big by any means.

I'd do that before I poisoned the ground with mothballs or any other type of thing. Lime burns animals feet by the way so if your chickens walk across it, be prepared for possible issues; I know its this way with dogs and cats.

 

[chicklady63]

Quote:
Oh my good heavens I would not have made it to the honeymoon! I have heard turpentine is used around bushes, etc., in Disney World & other amusement parks. A very old lady suggested this to me several years ago. She also said if you suspect snakes in a shed, etc., you can light a rag soaked in turpentine & it will smoke the snakes out. They did this in my father's & grandfather's time to make the tobacco barns & corn cribs safe to work in. I personally have never tried it, but I have tried the mothballs. I feel they do work, but they are carcinogenic & I'm afraid the geese I have now would eat them. But then, I've heard geese are good to keep snakes away, so maybe there's a give & take balance there?
Anyway, good luck. They are the bane of my summer existence & I am so afraid of them that it isn't funny. I know they do good things & many won't hurt you, but they'll make me hurt myself! Ooohh, can't even think about them any more right now....